US temporary staffing revenue rose a median 6% year over year in July among staffing firms taking part in Staffing Industry Analysts’ monthly Pulse Survey. This follows a flat growth rate reported in June.

“July’s Pulse survey indicates a bounce back for temporary staffing as most of the skill segments showed improvement,” Research Associate Sree Thiyagarajan said. “Healthcare staffing continued to be promising while office/clerical, industrial and engineering/design continued to be weaker. However, the net proportion of firms reporting an increase in new orders declined again for a third time this year to 29%, a trend we will continue to watch.”

In a more bearish signal, sales difficulty increased to 2.74 (on a five-point scale, with five meaning most difficult) and average recruiting difficulty increased. Sales difficulty reported by IT staffing firms rose to 3.11, remaining substantially higher than the other segments tracked by the survey.

The report found median year-over-year revenue growth accelerated in the following staffing segments in July from June:

• Office/clerical: To -1% from -5% growth
• Industrial: To -3% from -5%
• Per diem nursing: To 23% from 15%
• Locum tenens: To 29% from 19%
• Finance/accounting: To 2% from -3%
• Engineering/design: To -3 from -5%
• Marketing/creative: To 5% from 3%

The report also found median year-over-year revenue growth decelerated in the allied healthcare staffing segment to 5% in July from 16% in June. Direct hire revenue growth also slowed in July, to a median 5% year-over-year rate of expansion from a rate of 29% in June.

The median growth rate in travel nursing staffing was unchanged in July at 33%, the same as in June.

Pulse Survey results are based on a monthly survey of US staffing firms. Data from the month of July was submitted by individuals from 131 staffing companies.

The full Pulse Survey Report is available to firms that take part in the survey. Features include data on bill rate trends, data split by US regions, and tables with a snapshot of year-over-year and month-over-month revenue growth for the most recent month.

The next Pulse Survey is currently underway. Participate now by selecting this link.